Utility-Aware Cognitive Network Selections in Wireless Infrastructures

Operators of wireless infrastructures should maintain their users “always-best-connected”. This concept means that applications should be offered to users at the best possible Quality of Service (QoS) level, taking into account profile, context and policy information. The profiles provide the user requirements and preferences, the terminal capabilities, and the application requirements. The policies provide the objectives, constraints imposed by various stakeholders, for instance the network operator (NO). The context of operation designates relevant applications, available networks and their QoS capabilities. The “always-best-connectivity” concept can be achieved by directing user terminals to the most appropriate networks of the heterogeneous infrastructure of the NO. In this respect, advanced terminal management functionality is required. This paper presents management mechanisms for utility-based cognitive network selections. The utility is used for expressing the user desire for a QoS level. Cognition mechanisms are applied for learning the QoS capabilities of candidate networks, and therefore increasing the reliability and seamlessness of the network selections. Extensive results are provided, which show the behaviour of the scheme in terms of network selections made, and computational effort required for the acquisition of the knowledge.     

Optimal network selection in heterogeneous wireless multimedia networks

The complementary characteristics of different wireless networks make it attractive to integrate a wide range of radio access technologies. Most of previous work on integrating heterogeneous wireless networks concentrates on network layer quality of service (QoS), such as blocking probability and utilization, as design criteria. However, from a user’s point of view, application layer QoS, such as multimedia distortion, is an important issue. In this paper, we propose an optimal distributed network selection scheme in heterogeneous wireless networks considering multimedia application layer QoS. Specifically, we formulate the integrated network as a restless bandit system. With this stochastic optimization formulation, the optimal network selection policy is indexable, meaning that the network with the lowest index should be selected. The proposed scheme can be applicable to both tight coupling and loose coupling scenarios in the integration of heterogeneous wireless networks. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed scheme.     

Network selection in an integrated wireless LAN and UMTS environment using mathematical modeling and computing techniques

The increasing demand for broadband service, at least in hot spot areas, in today's wireless communications is causing cellular network providers to consider the integration of 3G cellular systems and wireless LAN. This has the particular advantage of high data rates and unlicensed spectrum. Consequently, network selection techniques play a vital role in ensuring quality of service in heterogeneous networks. In this article we develop a network selection scheme for an integrated cellular/wireless LAN system. The design goal is to provide the user the best available QoS at any time. The proposed scheme comprises two parts, with the first applying an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to decide the relative weights of evaluative criteria set according to user preferences and service applications, while the second adopts grey relational analysis (GRA) to rank the network alternatives with faster and simpler implementation than AHP. Simulations conducted in a heterogeneous system with UMTS and wireless LAN reveal that the proposed network selection technique can effectively decide the optimum network through making trade-offs among network condition, user preference, and service application, while avoiding frequent handoffs.     

Class-based quality of service over air interfaces in 4G mobilenetworks

We present a framework for quality of service provisioning over the air interfaces in future wireless networks, including 3G enhancement and 4G mobile networks. The framework is based on the paradigm of service classes, wherein each class can exhibit a characteristic behavior in terms of resource allocation over the air interface. Using this QoS framework, future wireless network operators can define their own sets of service classes, choose the preferred way of implementing the QoS behavior of these classes, and offer class-based pricing schemes. The user application can choose the service class that best suits its expectations in terms of QoS and cost of access. A class-based bandwidth scheduling scheme is described as a mechanism to implement this QoS framework over CDMA air interfaces. This scheme incorporates the paradigm of service classes, in conjunction with fair resource allocation and air interface congestion resilience, while allocating air interface bandwidth to mobile users     

Network selection in heterogeneous access networks simultaneously satisfying user profile and QoS

Multimode capability empowers mobile devices to select the appropriate network to meet the requirements of user and applications. However, network selection is a challenging task owing to heterogeneous nature of network access links. At the same time, pervasiveness of mobile communication networks accompanied by the advances in wireless devices has raised the user expectations of persistent service and quality. Therefore, it is important for a mobile device to take situation‐based and timely decisions while selecting an access network to ensure both user's and operator's demand. The existing standard, called IEEE 802.21 (media‐independent handover), considers mobile device signal‐strength parameter for network selection from a list of networks. This research has proposed a ranking algorithm to rank heterogeneous networks based on a set of parameters including user profile and QoS. It selects most suitable network owing to multiple handover scenarios. The simulation results have shown that the proposed scheme has successfully satisfied apparently the contradictory requirements related to user profiles and QoS simultaneously.     

An Efficient RSVP–Mobile IP Interworking Scheme

During the past years, several attempts have been made to develop functionality for mobility management support and QoS provision in the realm of the IP networks. Since IP was not designed to support such functionality, new protocols have been specified and implemented to tackle these issues. Mobile IP is currently the dominant protocol that allows users to retain connectivity while roaming in IP networks. RSVP (Resource reSerVation Protocol) is a well established protocol for reserving network resources to support QoS requirements. These protocols, when deployed separately, can work quite efficiently. However, if their functionality is combined, several inefficiencies arise in terms of QoS deterioration and misuse of the network resources. To minimize these inefficiencies, we propose a new approach that limits mobility and QoS related network modifications inside the domain, in which a user moves. The deployment of our scheme enhances the network resource usage efficiency, while minimizing the duration of the QoS deterioration experienced after a terminal movement. To quantify the advantages of our proposal, we have developed an analytical and a simulation model that we also present in this paper.     

A novel noncooperative game competing model using generalized simple additive weighting method to perform network selection in heterogeneous wireless networks

Network selection mechanisms have a significant role in guaranteeing the QoS for users in a heterogeneous wireless networks environment. These mechanisms allow the selection of an optimal wireless network to satisfy the needs of users. Users are provided with the opportunity to select from multiple connectivity opportunities available all over various wireless networks. Furthermore, the network operators themselves can execute active selection strategies that facilitate proper decision making, in which user preferences are considered. This study proposes a new noncooperative competing game‐theoretic model and strategy space based on user preference. This model can solve network selection problems and capture the inter‐linkages of decisions taken by various networks. A generalized simple additive weighting method is incorporated into the framework of noncooperative game theory. In addition, the utility function is employed to assess the usefulness of the system. Simulation results and analysis illustrate the efficacy of the suggested model in attaining optimum network utility for heterogeneous wireless networks while optimizing user satisfaction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aggregate History of User Mobility Pattern for QoS Provisioning in Multimedia Wireless Networks

Multimedia traffic is expected to be included in the next generation of wireless networks. As in wireline networks, the wireless network must also be capable of providing guaranteed quality-of-service (QoS) over the lifetime of mobile connections. In this paper, a bandwidth reservation scheme incorporating a user mobility prediction is proposed to manage the QoS of the networks. The mobility prediction scheme is developed based on the aggregate history of mobile users. Based on the mobility prediction, bandwidth is reserved to guarantee the uninterrupted handoff process. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can guarantee the required QoS requirements in terms of handoff call dropping probability and new call blocking probability while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization.     

Energy‐efficient multiple‐domain bidirectional scheme for G.hn applications

This paper presents an energy‐efficient relaying scheme for G.hn standard. We propose a multi‐domain bidirectional communication network with network coding at the physical layer in order to increase network coverage. The logical link control stack was also modified and supplemented with additional functionality. This reduces the power consumption in the network and enhances the performance while reducing collisions for inter‐domain network access. We consider domain selection to minimize the total energy consumption of the network and present optimal power allocation for the given QoS of each end node. Energy efficiency is evaluated in terms of transmit energy per bit for relay networks with bidirectional symmetric and asymmetric traffic flows. Simulation results show that the proposed multi‐domain bidirectional communication provides improved performance and higher energy savings than the single‐domain unidirectional network, especially in powerline communication channel, which is the worst medium of the three G.hn media. Finally, it was demonstrated that improved energy efficiency can be achieved with appropriate domain selection. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient vertical handoff scheme for microcellular and macrocellular interworking

The next generation wireless network environments increasingly become integrated to support anywhere, anytime connectivity for various applications like multimedia, full‐motion video and high data rates with appropriate quality of service (QoS). With these emerging needs, interworking of microcellular and macrocellular networks has been accompanied by service providers. However, these networks have different technologies, which make efficient vertical handoff a challenging issue. In this study, an efficient vertical handoff scheme (EVHS) for interworking between microcellular and macrocellular networks is proposed and analyzed. The handoff decision criteria of the proposed scheme include crucial features like user mobility, network conditions, pricing issues, and user preferences in addition to the received signal strength (RSS). EVHS ensures the selection of the most appropriate network in terms of cost and acceptable QoS according to users' preferences. The results show that EVHS scheme outperforms other proposed schemes in the literature in terms of incompletion probabilities, grade of service (GoS) and cost without causing degradation in system utilization. Besides, although EVHS scheme is mainly intended for user satisfaction, the results show that it does not cause a significant degradation in the revenue of the service provider. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Context Matching for Realizing Cognitive Wireless Network Segments

Beyond 3rd Generation (B3G) wireless communication systems are comprised from different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) in order to satisfy all user needs in services. The coexistence of many RATs in the same environment needs advanced network management systems in order to ensure efficient resources utilization while achieving the best possible Quality of Service (QoS) levels. Management functionality in the B3G era will have to solve complex problems, due to the existence of versatile options for satisfying stringent requirements, under difficult environment conditions. The introduction of cognitive systems in the B3G world is a direction for addressing the complexity, as it will enable reaching decisions faster and more reliably, by considering also knowledge and experience derived from past interactions of the system with the network environment. Our work presents an approach for identifying whether a context, encountered by the network segment, has also been dealt in the past. In this case context knowledge can be exploited for fast and cost efficient network reconfiguration and adaptation to the environment conditions.     

A Unified Network Selection Framework Using Principal Component Analysis and Multi Attribute Decision Making

Services are ubiquitously delivered over multiple wireless access technologies in a heterogeneous wireless network environment. A significant issue is the ranking of the alternative access networks and the selection of the most efficient and suitable one in order to meet the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of a specific service, as these are defined by the user. With this way, the user receives enhanced Quality of Experience. However, decisions on which network to connect are usually difficult to be reached, since multiple factors of different importance have to be taken into consideration. The subject of the paper is the introduction of a novel unified network selection framework. A framework for defining decision criteria weights relying on the variance of network measurements is also provided. For this purpose, Principal Component Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process are deployed so as to unravel the patterns in data and retrieve parameter weights through pair wise comparisons respectively. The framework addresses the final network selection by the employment of Multi Attribute Decision Making methods and by using certain QoS indicators acting as figures of merit which influence the decision process. Finally, the proposed scheme is tested through extended simulations and a discussion over its performance is made. Some useful conclusions are drawn.     

基于用户QoS的网络资源分配策略研究

针对5G网络在网络资源分配存在的问题,从用户业务QoS等级角度提出基于贝叶斯模型的网络资源优化分配策略模型。在对用户业务QoS等级划分的基础上采用优先节点自主控制策略进行网络资源分配,通过构建贝叶斯模型评价网络状态并进行动态学习推理,指导网络优先节点的控制决策,实现优先节点对最佳信道的优先选择。实验表明,与基于信道容量的信道资源分配策略相比,本文的策略在网络总体容量和网络公平性上具有更好的表现,能够更好满足异构网络的实际需求。     

Optimal rate allocation and QoS-sensitive admission control in wireless integrated networks

The problem of Call Admission Control and rate allocation in loosely coupled wireless integrated networks is investigated. The related Radio Resource Management schemes were introduced to improve network performance in wireless integrated networks. However, these schemes did not reflect the independence and competitiveness of loosely coupled wireless integrated networks. Furthermore, given that users have different requirements for price and Quality of Service (QoS), they are able to select a network according to their preference. We consider a scenario with two competitive wireless networks, namely Universal Mobile Telecommunications System cellular networks and Wireless Local Area Networks. Users generate two types of traffic with different QoS requirements: real-time and non-real-time. We propose a scheme that exploits a mathematical model for the control of call admission and adopt a noncooperative game theory-based approach to address the rate allocation problem. The purpose is to maximize the revenue of the network providers while guaranteeing a level of QoS according to user needs. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme provides better network performance with respect to packet loss rate, packet delay time, and call-blocking probability than other schemes when the data rates are allocated to each call at the point that maximizes the revenue of network providers. We further demonstrate that a Nash equilibrium always exists for the considered games.     

Vertical Handover Over Intermediate Switching Framework: Assuring Service Quality for Mobile Users

Ensuring quality of service (QoS) for the mobile users during vertical handover between IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLAN) and data network provided by Ultramodern Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) is one of the key requirements for seamless mobility and transfer of existing connections from one network to another. QoS fulfillment is a complex problem and requires participation of both the mobile users as well as the connection networks. The QoS assurance criteria for existing connections can be affected by fluctuations of data rates when a user moves from the high speed WLAN network to the low speed UMTS network, even in the presence of another WLAN network in its vicinity. This can happen if the alternate WLAN network is highly loaded. Therefore handover from a high speed network to a low speed network should be avoided, whenever possible. This paper proposes a QoS based handover procedure that prioritizes the existing connection over the new connections so that rate fluctuations due to handover can be avoided if there exist another WLAN network in the range of the mobile user. Whenever the possibility of handover is detected, a pre-handover bandwidth reservation technique is used to reserve bandwidth at the alternate WLAN networks to avoid QoS degradation. The proposed scheme is implemented in Qualnet network simulator and the performance is analyzed and compared with traditional handover techniques.     

Distributed radio access technology selection for adaptive networks in high‐speed,B3G infrastructures

Wireless systems migrate towards the era of ‘Beyond the 3rd Generation’ (B3G). A fundamental facilitator of this vision is the evolution of high speed, adaptive networks, needed for better handling the offered demand and improving resource utilization. Adaptive networks dynamically select their configuration, in order to optimally adapt to the changing environment requirements and conditions. This paper presents optimization functionality that can be used to support network adaptability (cognition‐reconfigurability) in a B3G context. The paper starts from the business case that justifies the need for placing research onto adaptive networks and then continues with the management functionality for (re)configuration decisions, which is targeted to the dynamic selection of the appropriate radio access technologies (RATs). RAT selection is modelled through an optimization problem called (RAT, Demand and QoS‐Assignment problem—RDQ‐A), the solution of which assigns in a distributed manner the available RATs to adaptive Base Station transceivers and the demand (users) to these transceivers and to QoS levels, respectively. The RDQ‐A optimization problem is decoupled in several sub‐problems and is implemented in phases corresponding to the aforementioned assignments, while efficient custom greedy algorithms are mobilized in each phase for obtaining the optimum assignment. Finally, indicative results from the application of the proposed functionality to a simulated network are presented. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mobility,wireless and QoS

The proliferation of wireless local area networks has opened doors to numerous service opportunities. However, they tend to be limited to delay-tolerant applications. We envisage an environment where a single device is used for all types of communication and roaming freely between different wireless and wired technologies and network operators. To achieve this will require quality of service (QoS) handled appropriately. Within the IP community, QoS has generally been considered end-to-end over the fixed network. Wireless networks and mobile users add a new set of problems, which have only seen highly specialised solutions within the 2G/3G mobile telephone communities. This paper examines these problems and proposes a solution whereby QoS is dealt with by the end terminals through adaptive applications and end-to-end congestion control. This does not require explicit knowledge of the type of network, and does not need expensive whole network upgrades. We believe that this approach can improve the experience of users of current wireless LAN networks, and we are currently verifying and exploring our ideas on a WLAN test bed.     

一种智能ABC支持型QoS切换决策机制

本文提出了一种总最佳连接ABC(Always Best Connected)支持型服务质量QoS(Quality of Service)切换决策机制,引入模糊数学和微观经济学等相关知识,刻画应用类型、QoS需求、接入网络和移动终端,综合考虑应用QoS需求、用户愿付费用、用户对接入网络编码制式偏好、用户对接入网络供应商偏...     

Call admission control for QoS provisioning in 4G wireless networks: issues and approaches

This article presents a survey on the issues and the approaches related to designing call admission control schemes for fourth-generation wireless systems. We review the state of the art of CAC algorithms used in the traditional wireless networks. The major challenges in designing the CAC schemes for 4G wireless networks are identified. These challenges are mainly due to heterogeneous wireless access environments, provisioning of quality of service to multiple types of applications with different requirements, provisioning for adaptive bandwidth allocation, consideration of both call-level and packet-level performance measures, and consideration of QoS at both the air interface and the wired Internet. To this end, architecture of a two-tier CAC scheme for a differentiated services cellular wireless network is presented. The proposed CAC architecture is based on the call-level and packet-level QoS considerations at both the wireless and wired parts of the network. A performance analysis model for an example CAC scheme based on this architecture is outlined, and typical numerical results are presented.